A rash guard is a protective shirt designed to be worn in and around the water. Initially developed for surfers, they protect wearers from abrasion, skin irritation, and sun exposure. Though traditionally long-sleeve and tight-fitting, these practical tops now come in every fit, sleeve length, and fabric weight you could possibly want.
To help you find the perfect one, we're highlighting some of the best and most stylish women's rash guards and swim shirts from top brands on the swimwear market. Slip them on over your bikini for added coverage during water sports or under your wetsuit for added warmth in cold waters. Cut from quick-drying performance fabrics (often finished with a UV-blocking treatment for improved sun protection), the fifteen options below can truly do it all.
18 Most Stylish Rash Guards For Women
Sweaty Betty Tidal Xtra Life Long-Sleeve Swimsuit
A Classic Solid Color
Sweaty Betty's Tidal Xtra Life Long-Sleeve Swimsuit offers wearers added coverage for wardrobe malfunction-free swimming, surfing, and water sports. A body-hugging fit provides light compression, while an inner bust shelf adds bra-free bust support. For a reduced environmental impact, it's made with part-recycled 'Xtra Life' Lycra— which happens to be five times more durable than traditional elastane.
Material
Main: 69% Polyamide, 31% Elastane
Lining: 82% Polyester, 18% Elastane
Care
Rinse in cold fresh water immediately after use. Wash at 30°C (86°F) on reduced spin. Do not bleach. Do not tumble dry. Dry away from direct sunlight.
ACACIA Ehukai Rash Guard
Eco-Conscious Design
ACACIA is a Hawaiian swim brand from designer and avid beach-goer Naomi Acacia Newirth. The label's stylish and functional swimwear pieces are made from sustainable materials in ethical factories working to eliminate the gender gap. This covetable Ehukai Rash Guard is crafted from 80% recycled nylon for a reduced environmental impact and 20% spandex for light, comfortable compression. The mock neck, the long-sleeve rash guard, comes in four fashionable prints designed to stand out on the water. But heads up. It's known to run small, so we recommend you purchase at least one size larger than your typical clothing size.
Material
80% Recycled Nylon, 20% Spandex
Care
Hand Wash Cold
Good American Scuba Surf Suit
A Timeless Piece
Good American's Scuba Surf Suit accentuates your curves without compromising comfort or performance. The timeless one-piece swimsuit provides waist-cinching compression and a long-sleeve, high-neck fit for sufficient rash protection during surfing. Its zip-front closure can be zipped up tight for added coverage on the waves, then undone for a flash of skin on the shore. Offered in an extended range of sizes, it's a suitable option for beach-goers of all shapes and sizes.
Material
Nylon, elastane
Care
Hand wash
Seea Haze Surf Jacket
Eco-Friendly Surf Jacket
This stylish Haze Surf Jack from Seea is crafted from an innovative plant-based neoprene alternative. Long sleeves, a high-neck front zip closure, and a body-hugging fit provide excellent protection from rubs, rashes, and painful sunburns. Zip it on over your bikini top for total sun protection or under your wetsuit for additional warmth. Complete your look with the coordinating Palisades Surf Shorts.
Material
Recycled Polyester, Spandex, Yulex Natural Rubber
Care
Hand Wash Cold
Roxy Enjoy the Waves Long-Sleeve Rash Guard
Sporty Rash Guard
This reasonably-priced Roxy Enjoy the Waves Long-Sleeve Rash Guard makes a versatile addition to any active wardrobe. The sporty, looser-fitting rash guard features a classic crewneck and curve-skimming fit. Sleek Roxy logos on the chest and back keep the otherwise simple style from feeling too plain. Might we suggest grabbing one in both color options? You'll be glad to have an extra swim shirt or two on hand when it's time to pack for your next beach vacation.
Material
nylon, elastane, polyester
Care
Machine washable
Atmosea Fire Back Zip Spring Suit
Sporty One Piece
Stay protected on the surf in Atmosea's Fire Back Zip Spring Suit. The practical one-piece surf suit is cut from panels of luxe neoprene fabric with color-blocked panels of sunset orange, red, blue, and purple. A high neckline, low-cut legs, and full-coverage bottoms make it an ideal rash guard for more modest beach-goers. Durable stitching and abrasion-resistant fabric ensure the versatile style lasts for countless beach days to come.
Material
80% Chloroprene Rubber, 20% Nylon
Care
Hand Wash Cold
Rip Curl Dawn Patrol Long-Sleeve Rash Guard
A flattering wetsuit jacket
Say goodbye to chafing and hello to all-weather comfort. Rip Curl's Dawn Patrol Long-Sleeve Rash Guard offers protection from sun rays and rough sand. The lightweight wetsuit jacket is cut from 2mm-thick neoprene to keep you warm in chilly waters. A full-length front zipper lets you quickly slip it off when you return to shore for a mid-day tanning session.
Material
E5 ultralite neoprene
Care
N/A
GIGI C Maggie Surf Suit
High-cut legs
Go straight from the waves to the streets in this stylish Maggie Surf Suit from GIGI C. The cheeky, high-cut one-piece rash guard boasts flattering seam placement and a front zip closure that allows you to show as much or as little cleavage as you like. Slip on your go-to denim shorts or joggers, and you're ready to run errands or grab a casual lunch after surfing. The golden yellow color is guaranteed to brighten your day.
Material
Polyamide, Elastane
Care
Hand Wash Cold
Cynthia Rowley Animal-Print Short Wetsuit
A bright abstract animal print
Prefer a rash guard that's more akin to a wetsuit? Try this Animal-Print Short Wetsuit from Cynthia Rowley. The stretchy neoprene one-piece is cut with long sleeves, a high neckline, and full-coverage boyshorts with a zippered back pocket. Its functional design is perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding, water skiing, and other activities that require added coverage and an uncompromised range of motion.
Material
80% neoprene/20% spandex
Care
Machine wash
Artesands Sunsafe Zip-Front Rash Guard
With built-in UPF protection
Beach bodies come in all shapes and sizes— and Artesands' Sunsafe Zip-Front Rash Guard flatters them all. The long-sleeve swim top is cut from quick-drying, recycled nylon with built-in UPF protection, and it's the perfect lightweight layer for paddle boarding, swimming, and staying protected from the sun during long beach days.
Material
82% recycled nylon, 18% spandex
Care
Hand wash, dry flat
Salt Gypsy Jade One-Piece Swimsuit
slim-fitting
Salt Gypsy's functional Jade One-Piece Swimsuit was designed with water sports in mind. The mock neckline, zippered back closure, and medium-coverage bottoms make wardrobe malfunctions a thing of the past. Slip it on for a day of surfing, swimming, boating, or beach volleyball. Knit from a recycled nylon blend, it's a wise choice for the environment too.
Material
78% Recycled Nylon, 22% Lycra
Care
Hand Wash Cold
Loveshackfancy x Hurley Cheeky Surf Suit
Statement Design
Cut from neon green and hot print performance fabric, Loveshackfancy x Hurley's Cheeky Surf Suit makes a bold statement at the beach. Cheeky bottoms and cinched cut-outs along the side show off plenty of skin without being impractical for surfing or swimming. Plus, it offers SPF protection to keep your skin safe from damaging UV rays. Stash a pair of jean shorts in your beach bag so you can wear it as a bodysuit too.
Material
84% Nylon, 16% Spandex
Care
Hand Wash
Lands' End Sun Protection Swim Tee
Lightweight and extra soft
Looking for something you can throw on over your swimsuit when the sun gets too intense? Add this versatile Sun Protection Swim Tee from Lands' End to your cart. It's LYRCA Xtra-Life spandex is specifically designed to withstand sweat, sunscreen, chlorine, and frequent wear. Moisture-wicking and rated UPF 50+, it'll keep you dry, comfortable, and protected from harmful UV rays. And did we mention it's offered in a tempting array of colors and prints?
Material
91% Nylon, 9% Spandex
Care
Hand Wash & Line Dry or Lay Flat to Dry
Inner Relm Long-Sleeve Spring Suit
Retro-inspired
Inner Relm combines vintage prints and design details with advanced wetsuit technologies. This orange daisy-print Long-Sleeve Spring Suit is crafted from stretchy limestone neoprene with durable flatlock stitching, anti-slip silicone rings at the wrists, and an adjustable neckline to minimize water entry. Flattering high-cut legs and cheeky bottoms accentuate your hourglass shape without feeling too revealing.
Material
Limestone Rubber
Care
Hand Wash Cold
Billabong Pretty Groovy Long-Sleeve Rash Guard Swimsuit
A groovy pattern
Billabong's Pretty Groovy Long-Sleeve Rash Guard Swimsuit is guaranteed to be your new favorite surfing swimsuit. Its crew neckline and long sleeves provide excellent rash protection, while UPF 50+ fabric keeps you safe from the sun's rays. The best part: its retro floral-print fabric is made using 85% recycled materials for a lower environmental impact. Try styling it with casual bottoms as a sporty bodysuit too.
Material
85% recycled polyester, 15% elastane
Care
Machine wash, tumble dry
Body Glove Women's Smoothies Sleek Rash Guard
a silky-smooth barrier
Body Glove's best-selling Smoothies Sleek Women's Rash Guard creates a silky-smooth barrier between your body and your board. It's crafted from a lightweight, breathable nylon-spandex blend with UPF 50+ sun protection. The loose fit is perfect for throwing it on over your bikini top for added coverage during paddleboarding or under your wetsuit for added protection during surfing.
Material
Smoothies (80% nylon, 20% spandex)
Care
N/A
Carolina Long Sleeve Rash Guard One Piece
Fun Pattern
If you are looking for a fun pattern rash guard, then you must check one this Carolina Long Sleeve Rash Guard One Piece. Available in multiple fun and eye-catching patterns. Perfect for surfing or walking on the beach as the long sleeves rash guard will protect you from the sun. It can be worn on its own or with a swim top underneath. Either way, you will feel feminine and sporty regardless of your chosen pattern.
Material
90% nylon, 10% spandex
Care
N/A
Elodie Ditsy Zipper Short Sleeve One Piece Swimsuit
Short Sleeve Design
Add a touch of style to rash guard with this Elodie Ditsy Zipper Short Sleeve One Piece Swimsuit. Super cute and stylish, it may just be your new favorite piece in your closet. It features a high neckline and a short sleeve. With a front zipper, it makes it easier to wear. Perfect for any water sports.
Material
Materials: 80% Chinlon, 20% Spandex
Lining: 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex
Care
Regular wash